DEATH OF A LIONESS. 425 



I was posted, to see if they were beyond her power, and then 

 it came back and settled on me again with a concentration 

 of gaze that was fascinating. 



Finding myself in an awkward position for shooting, I 

 arose to my feet. 



The lioness did the same, without however moving a step 

 in advance. 



I aimed between the eye and ear, but just as I pressed the 

 trigger a miserabl-e fly settled himself on the barrel of my 

 gun in such a manner as to intercept the view of the sight. 

 In spite of the danger of the thing the fable of the fly on the 

 coach wheel, came to. my mind with ludicrous force. 



Twice I lowered my rifle, but the pertinacious insect kept 

 his place. 1 waived uny hand and he flew off" only td buzz 

 back when I attempted to aim. 



The lioness had not moved, though she regarded my 

 motions with her head thrown back and her eyes fixed on 

 mine as though not quite comprehending the operations that 

 delayed a battle she was not loath to commence. 



Fearing lest I should miss aim altogether if I tried for her 

 head, I aimed for her shoulder and fired. The ball took 

 effect and the animal writhed under the shot without falling, 

 and then before she could recover I sent another ball, that 

 flies could not divert, into her ear, and she fell dead. 



Thus died the lioness of El-Hanut, my last victim, and I 

 sent her off that same evening for Constantine, to adorn the 

 table of my brothers-in-arms. 



The next day I camped at Foum-el-Hamma, and then 1 

 hunted Fed-Joudj, the Gouriret, and burned off the red grass at 

 Simerguenin, but all without success. The lions were not 

 there, though other game was started in abundance. 



At length the rains of winter set in, and drove me from 

 the field, and thus ended the last campaign, dear reader, in 

 which I can be accompanied by you. 



